The Indiana Hoosiers (10-0) are College Football’s Cinderella story this season. Curt Cignetti and his team have thwarted all preseason expectations and now find themselves on the precipice of the playoffs. Yet, skepticism was never too far. In the wake of discourse about Indy’s record being rather bloated, one figurehead of the sport chimed in. Safe to say he sides with the naysayers on this one.

Appearing on College GameDay in the build-up to Week 12, Nick Saban engaged in a discussion on a possible scenario where as many as 8 SEC teams could be left with the same record at the end of the regular season. Of course, for that to happen, some things need to happen, like Auburn getting a win (which is highly unlikely), but nevertheless. Former Alabama HC, while he didn’t mention the Hoosiers directly, talked about a contentious theme that is now associated with Curt Cignetti’s team. What is that? The strength of schedule. 

Saban highlighted the difficulty of Georgia’s schedule (who have played five top 20 teams). Compared to other SEC teams, Kirby Smart’s team has had quite a run. On the other hand, take, for example, Texas. The Longhorns, in the entirety of their schedule so far, played on tough opponents, and Steve Sarkisian’s boys lost to them. Who? Georgia Bulldogs. A bigger concern for Sarkisian’s team (if the committee takes into account the strength of the schedule) is that the one-sided loss came at home.

Can a similar logic be applied to the Hoosiers? Yes, and many analysts have applied it, including the committee, who waited it till the second week to place the Hoosiers at a spot (No. 5) that Cignetti thinks his 10-0 team deserves. Although Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have trounced their competition all season and have a gaudy 30-point margin of victory on average. The voices around a counter-argument to diminish Indiana’s achievements would only grow, and Saban’s words (against Texas) would be used to make that argument.  

In fact, the voices only got louder after Indiana’s Week 11 display against Sherrone Moore’s Michigan. Although Indiana won and kept their invincible record intact, the performance left a lot to be desired. Michigan, even in their poor predicament, were a step up in class compared to the Hoosiers’ previous opponents, and Curt Cignetti’s team only managed to muster a 20-15 win. This was comfortably their lowest points total all season.

As Indiana rejuvenates on a bye this weekend, they will need to win over Saban and others. An opportunity does present itself, with a trip to Columbus lined up in Week 13 to face the Buckeyes. No team in the country should be shamed for losing to Ryan Day and Ohio State in their own backyard. However, could a loss be what turns the committee against them?

Are the Indiana Hoosiers sure contenders for a postseason berth?

At 10-0, there has been almost no doubting Indiana’s playoff credentials. Even though the strength of schedule debate simmers below the surface, a large portion of people are in agreement that they deserve a spot in the Top 12. The issue arises if they lose to Ohio State and lose convincingly. With no ranked wins under their belt and the sheen of an unbeaten record worn off, it could spell trouble.

Indiana’s play-by-play broadcaster, Don Fischer, argued that the game next weekend might be the biggest game in the program’s history. Albeit hyperbolic, the sheer argument shows the magnitude of the game. The stakes will not be lost on Ohio State either, as they look to make it to the B1G championship.

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Curt Cignetti, off the back of a new contract, has his work cut out. An upset over Ohio State would not only create waves around the fans and media. It shall infuse the program with the belief that they belong on the big boy table after all. Indiana is currently 10.5-point underdog in Columbus for the game to be played on November 23. Miracles happen in College Football. The Indiana Hoosiers are akin to a few already.